For now, members of the national athletics' team will have to train on their own while in home quarantine.
National coach Jojo Posadas and his wife, former track star Elma Muros-Posadas, said this as they continued to monitor the activities of athletes under their care.
"The lockdown had a big effect on members of the national team, especially those who are qualified and seeking qualification for the Olympics. Nabinbin kasi ang training nila,” said Posadas.
With the advise from the Philippine Athletics Track and Field Association, Posadas made efforts to get in touch with national team members, giving pointers on how stay fit and be ready to return to regular training and competitions.
Posadas told the athletes that community quarantine measures imposed throughout the country will be over soon, and they just have to be ready to return to regular activities.
With track and field activities set to resume activities worldwide this August, policies that will embrace the new normal have been adopted by the PATAFA.
Officials of the PATAFA said competitions will be held in the last quarter of 2020.
Before that, training activities will commence as soon as the Interagency Task Force on Infectious Diseases gives the green light.
With the 2020 Philippine national athletics' championships set to be held this December, athletes, coaches, educators and officials will be asked to observe numerous protocols, safety and health measure during their activities.
“Sabi namin sa kanila, huwag sila mawalan ng pag-asa. Matatapos din ito,” said Posadas.
While quarantine measure are still in place, athletes and coaches are required to wear face masks when outdoors. It is optional when training.
Among the athletes two are advising are marathon runner Christine Hallasgo and sprinter Frederick Ramirez.
Hallasgo did the unexpected when she took the women's marathon crown of the SEA Games, beating Cebuana runner and Olympian Mary Joy Tabal.
Ramirez teamed up with Edgardo Alejan, Michael del Prado, and Joyme Sequita to finish third in the men's 4×400-meter relay in the same biennial meet.
Also training under Posadas couple are 17-year-olds Jasmin Bombita from Irosin, Sorsogon, and Bernalyn Bejoy of Bacolod City, who earned slots the national team following their good showing in the Palarong Pambansa last year.
